Bruton suffers knockout blow in 2A state basketball championship loss to Dan River, but looks back on season with pride

Video: Dan River 84, Bruton 58

Bruton battles Dan River for the 2A State Championship Saturday in Richmond.

Bruton battles Dan River for the 2A State Championship Saturday in Richmond.

By Marty O'Brien, mobrien@dailypress.com

RICHMOND — The boxing adage about a game plan going out the window after you get hit with a shot or two fits Bruton High in its 84-56 loss to Dan River in the 2A boys basketball state tournament championship game Saturday at the VCU Siegel Center.

For a quarter, the Panthers mostly displayed their usual control and poise at a pretty frenetic pace, and led the Wildcats 17-14. But when Dan River turned up the heat even more early in the second quarter, the Panthers came unglued and played the worst eight minutes of an otherwise magnificent season.

Combing a relentless and physical half-court defense that produced seven turnovers and led to several transition baskets, the Wildcats (25-0) outscored the Panthers 24-6 to take a 38-23 halftime lead. The Panthers (26-2) hurt their cause with 1 of 12 field-goal shooting, the result of rushed and poorly selected shots.

In addition, the Wildcats — with four starters 6-foot-3 or taller — dominated the glass in building a 32-18 first-half rebounding advantage. Amazingly, they constructed their game-deciding, second-quarter run with their best player, 6-5 Tremaine Edmunds, seated for the final 7 minutes, 15 seconds after picking up a second foul.

"We talk about playing solid half-court defense, all five guys on the floor, and that's what we were able to do, especially in the second quarter," Dan River coach Kenny Murphy said. "I told our kids, 'We lost the first quarter, now we've got to come back and win the second one.'

"I was just surprised about how we won the second quarter by as many points as we did."

Bruton coach Joe Dillard described his players as too urgent and too individualistic in the second quarter after falling behind. Indeed, the chemistry and poise that have been Bruton calling cards were replaced by panic.

That might have been because of the excitement of the occasion. But the Panthers were generous in the praise of Dan River, a team taller, more physical and more athletic than they had seen all season.

"When you get to settings like this, it's kind of full throttle," Dillard said. "If you kind of wake up late to that, it can bite you in the butt.

"I think that second quarter was an opportunity where we got out-hustled and they were a lot more physical getting to the cup than we were."

Bruton star Marcus Carter said, "They move around and keep their energy flowing. They keep moving on offense and keep moving on defense. Being that they were big and physical, we weren't used to it."

There was no coming back from the halftime deficit for the Panthers. Dan River's rebound margin swelled to 56-38, while the Panthers shot a dismal 25.8 percent (16 of 62) from the field.

The stars stepped up for Dan River, as Ethan Driskill (15 points), Terrell Edmunds (14 points) and Tremaine Edmunds (11 points) were in double figures. Guard Curtis Stephens, who was averaging only 6.7 points, led the Wildcats with 28 points on 7 of 10 field-goal shooting and 13 free throws in 14 attempts.

As expected, Carter (20 points) and Lonnie Swinton (19 points) led the Panthers, but they were a combined 12 of 33 shooting. The rest of the Panthers were 4 of 29 from the field.

Bruton did not quit, though. The Panthers cut a 22-point third quarter deficit to 14 in the fourth quarter. Although they could not complete the comeback, the Panthers looked back on the season with pride.

Swinton said the highlight was, "being together, playing together and having fun all the time. Just playing as a family and playing as a team."

Carter said, "Most people in the state didn't think we could make it this far. They said we were too short, weren't physical enough and couldn't play with what they considered the big dogs in the state.

"So to get here we've got to keep our heads high."

Kapri Doucet added, "It was a fun ride and I enjoyed it with (my teammates) and wouldn't trade them for the world."

Dillard spoke with affection about a group he guided to Bay Rivers District, Conference 33 and 2A East Region titles.

"It really hurts lot to take in a defeat like this," he said. "At the same time there's the silver lining of feeling accomplished, having a great season and you don't want your season to be affected by this one game.

"These boys have done a lot this year and let people know who Bruton High School is. For that I'm proud. For that I stand by my boys. And for that I'd go to war with them any day of the week."

The last 11 months have been difficult for Anthony and Eldrie Scott, with every holiday or milestone bringing another reminder. They had lost their only child, something they pray no other parent has to experience.